LAKE CHARLES – Jake Strong's pass on a potential game-winning 2-point conversion was batted down at the line by Weber State's Matt Herron and Weber State held off a near-miraculous comeback by McNeese to escape with a 42-41 win in Navarre Stadium.
McNeese (1-2) trailed 42-21 after Weber State's BJ Carey intercepted a tipped Strong pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown with 9:45 to play.
The Cowboys answered right away when Tre'vonte Citizen bulled through the line for a 78-yard touchdown just 41 seconds later to cut the deficit to 42-28.
Mason Edwards kept McNeese alive after he intercepted WSU's Jackson Gilkey at the Weber 32 with 7:41 remaining.
Nine plays later Strong connected with
Jonathan Harris who tip-toed the back of the endzone for a 3-yard score and narrowing the margin to 42-35 with 4:56 on the clock.
The Cowboys' forced the Wildcats into a punt on their next possession and took over possession with 2:14 to play and starting the drive on their own 18. After a holding penalty moved the ball back to the 9, Strong guided the offense to near perfection during the 2-minute drill, completing four straight passes including 19 and 10-yard passes to Harris and
Jaylen Thompson who both stopped the clock by getting out of bounds after picking up first downs.
On the next play, Strong scrambled to a 19-yard touchdown to pull to within one with 42 seconds remaining.
After the missed 2-point attempt, McNeese's on-side attempt was recovered by Weber State who was able to run out the clock.
Next up, McNeese will travel to face Utah State out of the Mountain West Conference while Weber State will be home for the first time this season when hosting Butler.
Statistically Seeking:
• McNeese outgained Weber State 537-447 in total offense. In the second half only, the Cowboys rolled up 334 yards while holding the Wildcats to 174.
• QB
Jake Strong completed 20 of 39 passes for 278 yards, two touchdowns and threw two interceptions, both that came off tipped passes that went of the receivers' hands.
• WR
Jonathan Harris caught 7 passes for 114 yards, both career highs.
• RB
Tre'Vonte Citizen and
Bryce Strong combined to rush for 213 yards and two TDs.
• Citizen's 117 yards was a career-high.
• Safety
Shoes Brinkley recorded 11 tackles, marking his second straight double-digit tackle game.
• DL
Phillip Bradford recorded a sack and two tackles for a loss.
Notebook:
•
Bryce Strong's 68-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was the second-longest in his two-years at McNeese. He had a 78-yard run last Nov. 2 against East Texas A&M.
•
Javon Davis' interception in the second quarter was the first of his career in his four years at McNeese.
•
Jake Strong's third quarter, 5-yard touchdown run was his first rushing TD of the season.
•
Tre'Vonte Citizen's 79-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the 10
th longest TD run in school history.
• Five of the scores, combined by both teams, went for 50 yards or more.
• A total of 12 players were targeted with seven making catches.
• McNeese finished 8 of 16 on third downs while Weber State finished 9 of 16.
How it Happened:
1
st | 5:06 | WSU | Jayleen Record 78-yard pass from Jackson Gilkey. Calder kick. WSU 7-0 (2 plays, 79 yards, 0:42).
2
nd | 14:46 | WSU | Jackson Gilkey 50-yard run. Calder kick. WSU 14-0 (5-plays, 66-yards, 1:56).
2
nd | 13:23 | McN |
Bryce Strong 68-yard run. Pinton kick. WSU 14-7 (3-plays, 75-yards, 1:23).
2
nd | 00:21 | WSU | Calder 10-yard run. Calder kick. WSU 21-7 (13-plays, 70-yards, 4:38).
3
rd | 12:02 | McN |
Jonathan Harris 57-yard reception thrown by
Jake Strong. Pinton kick. WSU 21-14 (4-plays, 75-yards, 1:25).
3
rd | 5:48 | WSU | Davion Godley 2-yard rush. Calder kick. WSU 28-14 (6-plays, 57-yards, 3:14).
3
rd | 2:21 | McN | J. Strong 5-yard run. Pinton kick. WSU 28-21 (9-plays, 46-yards, 3:19)
4
th | 11:05 | WSU | Godley 12-yard rush. Calder kick. WSU 35-21 (13-plays, 78-yards, 6:11)
4
th | 9:45 | WSU | B. Carey 42-yard interception return. Calder kick. WSU 42-21.
4
th | 9:04 | McN |
Tre'Vonte Citizen 79-yard run. Pinton kick. WSU 42-28 (2-plays, 88-yards, 00:41)
4
th | 4:56 | McN |
Jonathan Harris 3-yard pass from Strong. Pinton kick. WSU 42-35 (9-plays, 32-yards, 2:45).
4
th | 00:42 | McN | J. Strong 19-yard run. Harris pass from Strong failed. WSU 42-41 (8-plays, 82-yards, 1:32).
